Israel

April 2010

As I prepared some pictures for our website, my heart rejoiced in the LORD for all He did during our April trip to Israel. The Father prepared a table before us and schedule divine appoints each day of our 14-day journey. The 24 JOA travelers joined folks from Montana and Chicago making 46 on our bus. (There was sweet fellowship among our groups.) Dr Bryan Beyer, Columbia International University seminary professor and trustee/instructor with Jerusalem University College was our teacher again for the third JOA study tour. As is our custom, we stayed several nights in the Old City of Jerusalem and several nights in a kibbutz on the Sea of Galilee. Each trip is different depending on the season. Never have I seen the land so green as it was this spring after record latter rains. God truly showed His glory. (Be sure to view the picture of the sunset on the Galilee.) Our word for this trip was Hineni which means, “Here I am,” or “Here I stand, surrendered and humbly ready to obey.” This was the response of Abraham, Moses and Samuel when God spoke to them. As we walked the land of Israel, meeting the people and studying the Scriptures together, we searched our hearts to be ready to say “Hineni” to God’s call on each of our lives. Our trip included a prayer walk on the wall of the Old City when many of us fervently prayed for Israel’s salvation—Muslim, Jews and any others who do not know Jesus Christ. Each day we literally walked in the steps of Jesus, of Abraham, of Paul or of David. Ours was a sacred journey which we will unpack the rest of our lives. Since arriving home, the Bible is coming alive for us in deeply rewarding ways because of the insights we gained into God’s Word while in the Holy Land. We shall never be the same.

Plans are underway for another JOA study tour. As soon as God directs we will go, for our heart’s cry is “Hineni.”

Enjoy a few pictures.

Abiding with joy,

Delaine